Algae Scrubbers

[azshooz]

I've been running skimmers, gfo, carbon, fuge, etc... for years but recently started reading a lot about ATS systems. I'm just looking for the local communities opinion on these. I've been specifically checking out the Santa Monica scrubbers, both the HOGS and floaters. If you're running an ATS, please tell me your experience, whether it's a hanging system or upflow, and if you have one of the SM's even better.

 

[Jayreefer]

Following along here as I have also been reading about them lately. Anything I can do to less water changes and keep great water quality I am all for.

From what I have read the best design is lit on both sides with screen hanging in the middle. Also with even water flow over the screen.

 

[Elliott]

I've been running two Algae Turf Scrubbers, Santa Monica 100's, for several years. They are just another nutrient export mechanism. I also run 3 skimmers, carbon and GFO.

When I get lazy and postpone cleaning the screens I notice more algae growth in the display. So the ATS's definitely remove nutrients. However I would not use them as a stand alone filtration mechanism.

I'm planning to add a Theiling Roller Mat (distributed by BRS). It's essentially a filter sock material on a rotating wheel that automatically turns to expose new clean material as it gets dirty and clogged. I plan to run all of my overflow through it before reaching the sump, which will mechanically remove debris before it degrades, relieving much of the work of the other filtration methods (skimmers, ATS's, carbon, GFO, bacterial).

The Roller Mat makes a lot of sense to me and I would add this before installing additional filtration mechanisms "downstream" to it. It's a lot easier and much more efficient to remove nutrients early.

 

[azshooz]

Thanks for the response Elliott. I'm planning on keeping the skimmer, but was hoping to reduce chemical filtration, or at least the replacement/replenishment frequency, as well as a reduction in the frequency of water changes. I currently use filter socks on overflows and wash them out frequently, I'd like to stop this practice too

You have a huge system and I'm assuming you have large nutrient inputs into that system. You've stated your opinion on using them as a stand-alone export, but hypothetically speaking, do you feel that an appropriately sized (huge) scrubber could ever keep up with the amount of nutrient export you need?

Thanks!

 

[Elliott]

Thanks for the response Elliott. I'm planning on keeping the skimmer, but was hoping to reduce chemical filtration, or at least the replacement/replenishment frequency, as well as a reduction in the frequency of water changes. I currently use filter socks on overflows and wash them out frequently, I'd like to stop this practice too

You have a huge system and I'm assuming you have large nutrient inputs into that system. You've stated your opinion on using them as a stand-alone export, but hypothetically speaking, do you feel that an appropriately sized (huge) scrubber could ever keep up with the amount of nutrient export you need?

Thanks!

theoretically I guess a huge ATS could keep up with the export of nutrients to match the nutrient load

 

[kcinnick]

Thanks for the response Elliott. I'm planning on keeping the skimmer, but was hoping to reduce chemical filtration, or at least the replacement/replenishment frequency, as well as a reduction in the frequency of water changes. I currently use filter socks on overflows and wash them out frequently, I'd like to stop this practice too

You have a huge system and I'm assuming you have large nutrient inputs into that system. You've stated your opinion on using them as a stand-alone export, but hypothetically speaking, do you feel that an appropriately sized (huge) scrubber could ever keep up with the amount of nutrient export you need?

Thanks!

Probably could, but there are other benefits to using multiple methods

A protein skimmer adds tons of oxygen to the water

A refugium provides a place for pods and small natural critters and food sources to breed and live safely.

The ATS provides a compact ideal environment for unwanted algae so you grow it there rather than your DT.

A combination of systems is what makes a reef work, not saying you can't get along with just one method, but in the long run the Skimmer/fuge/LR model has proven itself. Adding an ATS is just a bonus.

 

[AZBigJohn]

I've been running two Algae Turf Scrubbers, Santa Monica 100's, for several years. They are just another nutrient export mechanism. I also run 3 skimmers, carbon and GFO.

When I get lazy and postpone cleaning the screens I notice more algae growth in the display. So the ATS's definitely remove nutrients. However I would not use them as a stand alone filtration mechanism.

I'm planning to add a Theiling Roller Mat (distributed by BRS). It's essentially a filter sock material on a rotating wheel that automatically turns to expose new clean material as it gets dirty and clogged. I plan to run all of my overflow through it before reaching the sump, which will mechanically remove debris before it degrades, relieving much of the work of the other filtration methods (skimmers, ATS's, carbon, GFO, bacterial).

The Roller Mat makes a lot of sense to me and I would add this before installing additional filtration mechanisms "downstream" to it. It's a lot easier and much more efficient to remove nutrients early.

Realizing that you have an unbelievable system (just watched the youtube video of your equipment last week) and a huge amount of space to work in, how much "noise" do the Santa Monica scrubbers add to the environment?

I do not have a dedicated "fish room", or basement, or anything else. Every time I look at ATS systems (which intrigue me) it seems they work on running, dripping sheets of water, which, to my mind, would produce a lot of waterfall-type noise. If I was to install one in my sump area, or in a cabinet next to my tank, how much noise do they produce?

 

[Elliott]

Realizing that you have an unbelievable system (just watched the youtube video of your equipment last week) and a huge amount of space to work in, how much "noise" do the Santa Monica scrubbers add to the environment?

I do not have a dedicated "fish room", or basement, or anything else. Every time I look at ATS systems (which intrigue me) it seems they work on running, dripping sheets of water, which, to my mind, would produce a lot of waterfall-type noise. If I was to install one in my sump area, or in a cabinet next to my tank, how much noise do they produce?

you can set them up to run fairly quiet by running the return pipe below the surface to avoid splashing, but not silent, you should expect to hear it, but many run them under their displays so my guess is it's manageable

 

[miatawnt2b]

I built a 9" square upflow scrubber like the SM HOG unit. I lit it with one of these:
21W square warm white and attached it to the sump glass with velcro command strips.
I used a small whisper pump for airflow.
I bought a 9" square pan of brownies from the grocery store for the housing.
To hold the scrubber against the glass I just use a piece of live rock.
I harvest every 7-10 days. Ive been running my tank with just this skimmerless for 6 months now and I couldn't be happier.
As far as noise, It's no louder than the skimmer was, and since it's in the sump behind a closed aquarium cabinet, It's almost inaudible.

-J

 

[kjonulak]

I use to build custom LED light fixtures for FW and SW aquariums. To get your best plant growth or in this case algae use a combination of red and blue LEDs. Blue LEDs trigger photosynthesis and red led's promote compact bushy growth. White led's if you look at their spectrum graph will typically peak at the 450nm range and then drop off towards the red spectrum or 700nm range. You really don't need the other colors in between.

If anyone saw the article of the astronauts growing lettuce in space the light from the led's looked pinkish. Here is an article of a guy who started a business using shipping containers to grow veggies. Look at the light color.
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/bu...shipping-containers-used-growing-produce.html

When I was growing cheato in my fuge I used blue and red led's and had to harvest weekly.